Luka Doncic Trade Discussed By Former Dallas Mayor

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert has weighed in on the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Leppert, now 70, served as the Mayor of Dallas from 2007 to 2011. Leppert previously served as the CEO of the Turner Corporation before his selection as the Mayor of Dallas in 2007. Read on for Leppert’s comments surrounding the Mavericks’ Doncic trade.

Tom Leppert Weighs In On Luka Doncic Trade

Tom Leppert isn’t involved in the Dallas Mavericks organization but is the latest public figure to weigh in on the Luka Doncic trade. Leppert recently published an article in The Dallas Morning News, where he talked about how the Doncic trade would hurt Dallas for a long time. Here are some of Leppert’s excerpts.

Leppert wrote, “Basketball season is over for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks. But like so many Mavs fans, I’m still deeply frustrated personally by the trade of Luka Doncic. And as a former mayor and a business leader in our city, I know it is going to keep hurting because it came at an enormous long-term cost to Dallas.”

Like all of you, I have seen the lift cities get from their sports teams and iconic sports figures like Dirk Nowitzki. They are part of the civic and emotional fabric. Just walk down the halls of any public area in Dallas and count the number of ’77’ jerseys worn by our people.”  

Luka Doncic Trade Outlook

According to Tom Leppert, the Luka Doncic trade was more than just a trade. Leppert wrote in The Dallas Morning News that Doncic, now 26, gave Dallas national relevance, unforgettable moments, and a genuine sense of identity in a post-Dirk Nowitzki era. Leppert added that Doncic was “a generational pillar; the kind of player cities build around for decades. A generational talent you protect, support, and empower.”

Leppert continued, “There are trades that reshape teams. There are trades that reset franchises. And then there are trades so reckless that they fracture a city’s trust. The decision to trade Luka belongs in the last category … More than just a basketball blunder, this trade represents a staggering failure of leadership at every level and is an abandonment of the unspoken moral contract between a team and its community.” 

Final Thoughts

Tom Leppert appeared to change his tune about the Luka Doncic trade in The Dallas Morning News. Leppert wrote, “The Mavs management and ownership have every right to run their assets as they choose. But they must also acknowledge that the value of their asset is derived from this community, and this community is owed, in return, honesty and accountability for such actions. We haven’t gotten either.

“Yes, defense matters, but the modern NBA is driven by offensive efficiency, elite shot creation, and versatility — all things Luka personified. Harrison gave the 25-year-old away because he didn’t fit a narrative that was never true to begin with.”

The Dallas Mavericks were eliminated from playoff contention on April 18, 2025, following a 120-106 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum. The Mavericks failed to create consistent momentum down the stretch. The Mavericks’ future might require a third star to surround Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.

The Los Angeles Lakers were handed a first-round exit by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 103-96 win in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference First Round. Luka Doncic faced tough questions. The weather will be perfect in Los Angeles, and the Lakers’ exit shined a light on defense. The Timberwolves constantly attacked Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers might want to trade for a center.